The familiar wave of heat hit Li as soon as he stepped back out of the landing vessel. They were in the center of the village and the sun shone down, being in its zenith; heat magnifying under the protective medical coverings.

Imani embraced Li as Nora brushed by, carrying a large set of boxes. 

“We’re being transferred, my man! Damn you really saved our asses. Ali wanted to thank you, but he’s training for the Scouting division and left the first time you woke up, if you remembered that. Come on, get your stuff, then head to the chief’s house.”

Nora smiled as he passed. The familiar site of his lodge comforted him, but the smallest hint of sadness touched his heart. There wasn’t that much to gather, besides a few small boxes that he hadn’t opened and changing clothes. 

“Let us get that for you! Go talk to the chief!”

Imani and Nora eagerly took the light load as Li dragged himself through the heat, into the house of the chief. The two brothers saluted him as he passed through the door, down the cool stone hallways. Something in the back of his mind gave him a perfect memory of the house. The chief’s room would be just around the corner. 

“Li!”

It was the chief’s daughter who ran and fiercely embraced him, showering him with kisses and reassuring words, to which he eagerly reciprocated.

“Li. My father wants to see you, come.”

In the great hall, Li looked up at Chief Jask for the final time. 

“This is it, it wasn’t supposed to end like this”

“Li, things don’t always end as they are supposed to. They end as they must.”

Even in the darkness of the room, Li could see the gradual signs of age appearing on Jask’s body. 

“Please, Li, take my daughter with you-”

“Chief-”

“Please, Li. I am getting old and the duties of our village will be passed onto her brothers. The universe has so many more chances for her. On my humblest request.”

Li stared at the ground, a wave of regret hitting him. Why hadn’t he ever thought of taking her with him? This girl who had loved him even before whatever accident had happened to him. And now he was just going to leave her here? 

“You’re right, Chief. I will take her. I make a solemn promise to the Divine that I will protect her and aid her in the path to success”

The chief sighed in gratitude, his daughter teary eyed, ran to hug him one more time.

“Father… oh father…”